Tuesday, September 22, 2009

In Memoriam: David Terry

David Terry tackles the heat at one of the hottest Western States (2006) on record.

A week ago the ultrarunning community lost one of the first and one of the best.

This taken from the Enumclaw Courier Herald:

"Former Enumclaw resident Dr. David Terry, 47, died unexpectedly Sept. 13, 2009, at his home in Portland, Ore. He was born Nov. 12, 1961, in Seattle to Dr. Irvin Terry and Helene (Montcalm) Terry. He was the third of four brothers and one sister. In 1971, the family moved to Enumclaw, where he graduated from high school in 1980.

Following a year taken to pursue his passion of ski racing full-time, he entered Colorado College and graduated with a pre-med degree in 1986. He graduated from St. Louis Medical School in 1990. Following a three-year radiology residency in Chicago, he moved to Portland in 1995 to take a teaching fellowship at Oregon Health and Science University and then took a full-time position at the veterans hospital in Portland where he worked as a radiologist until his death.

He was an accomplished ultra/trail runner. He finished the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run 10 times in less than 24 hours, placing as high as fifth one year. He was a 10-time finisher at the Wasatch 100, finishing as high as third, and a two-time finisher of the Hard Rock 100.

He was an accomplished writer, poet, gardener and gourmet cook. He was passionate about the outdoors which strengthened his spirit and gave him peace. Friends were extremely important to Dave and he maintained close contact with his network throughout the country.

He is survived by his mother Helene and brothers Paul and Lawrence, all of Enumclaw; brother Irvin and wife Kate of Lynnwood, Wash., and sister Frances and husband David of Whitefish, Mont.

Friends and family are welcome to funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1614 Farrelly St. in Enumclaw."

The 2002 Western States. Montrail Teammates (l to r)Jim Kerby, Dave Terry and Ian Torrence head out together from the Devil's Thumb aid station. High spirits and motivation provided by Dr. Dave Terry.

Dr. Dave Terry was an icon of the ultrarunning sport. Selflessly assisting those in need. Whether it be advice and consultations on an injury or motivation needed for the next climb. Dave was always there; quite frankly, he loved the sport and the people who gravitated towards it. He left behind a legacy and will always be remembered. Run on good friend!

Another of Dave's friends, Craig Thornley, shares more over at his blog site.Sean Meissner shares is memories of Dave here.Andy Jones-Wilkins' good words on Dave can be found on his blog here.Krissy Moehl shares her's here.

I thought I would share a story, something to perhaps lend a smile to help cope with what has become incomprehensible. I was honored to have know Dave and over our numerous encounters he really made an impression on me. Carly, Dave and I sat at the Mowich Lake campground on the Wonderland Trail for some 7 hours waiting for a running party in September of '05. It began to snow and with no sign of our group we started a duraflame log fire in the middle of the parking lot. We then cracked a bottle of Darioush chardonnay and began our wait. The night was cold, we had no food, we were worried about our friends but Dave really pulled it all together. Numerous hours of great conversation and many many laughs. When it got bad, I remember Dave recounting one time while he was running the trail in the same horrible conditions he sat out the night in an outhouse at the same location some 70 miles into the trail. Our night paled in comparison and gave me a lot of insight into his determination and will. I will miss the knowledge, the humor, the wit spliced in with conjecture, and the shared love of ultrarunning. Hard shoes to fill indeed.

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